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Law Society helps former clients of X-Copper

TORONTO, July 3 /CNW/ - When X-Copper Services Inc. declared bankruptcy
at the end of May, several thousand clients found themselves suddenly without
legal services. Many of those clients had paid for legal services in advance
and had no warning that the company was going to default on those services.
As Ontario's regulator of legal services, the Law Society of Upper Canada
will investigate the circumstances that led to the company's bankruptcy. The
investigation will allow us to determine if any disciplinary action is
warranted.
The Law Society is also concerned that clients of X-Copper are provided
with their legal service. It has been actively recovering client files and
other material containing client information. Clients are being guided as to
the steps they need to take to guard their legal rights. Law Society staff has
been assigned to help former clients through the various steps required to
obtain new legal representation, to recover their files, or to approach the
court to reopen their case. The Law Society is also determining if there are
any funds that may be recovered for clients who paid for services they did not
receive.
With regulation, paralegals are now required to maintain client funds in
trust for unperformed legal services. Specified books and records are also
required.
The Law Society regulates lawyers and paralegals in Ontario in the public
interest. The Law Society has a duty to protect the public interest, to
maintain and advance the cause of justice and the rule of law, to facilitate
access to justice for the people of Ontario and to act in a timely, open and
efficient manner.
For more information about the Law Society, visit us online at:
www.lsuc.on.ca.

For further information:

For further information: Susan Tonkin at (416) 947-7605,
stonkin@lsuc.on.ca; or Helen Stone at (416) 947-7625, hstone@lsuc.on.ca